Recent Forum Topics › Forums › The Rams Huddle › Wagoner: get to know rookie Ethan Westbrooks
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July 5, 2014 at 12:19 pm #861
znModeratorGet to know a rookie: Ethan Westbrooks
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/9348/get-to-know-a-rookie-ethan-westbrooks
EARTH CITY, Mo. — We’ve officially reached the closest thing to a dead period the NFL has to offer these days as organized team activities are over and training camp has not yet arrived.
That means vacation time for the players, coaches and, yes, reporters. In the meantime, let’s get to know some of the lesser-known additions to the Rams roster: the rookie free agents.
Ethan Westbrooks
Position: Defensive tackle
College: West Texas A&M
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 267 pounds
Stat to know: Westbrooks’ final two seasons at West Texas A&M were so impressive it’s hard to pick just one statistic but his body of work was so impressive it had many labeling him a potential draft sleeper. In 2012, Westbrooks dominated to the tune of 19.5 sacks and 29.5 tackles for loss. With more attention from blockers last year, he still managed seven and a half sacks with 19.5 tackles. Penalties were a problem for him in college but that type of production is hard to argue with regardless of the competition. For good measure, he also had two sacks against tougher competition at the East-West Shrine Game.
Road to the roster: The Rams handed Westbrooks a fairly sizable signing bonus for an undrafted rookie and the largest among the group the team signed. Clearly, they think highly of him and believe he could compete for a roster spot. Things get more complicated, though, when looking at the competition. The Rams have been happy to carry an extra defensive lineman in the past, bringing nine along to the active roster in each of the past two years. As it stands, the Rams have eight players who appear to be all but locked in to spots barring injury issues. That would leave a ninth spot up for grabs that Westbrooks could potentially seize. But it won’t be easy. The Rams don’t seem to care much whether that ninth lineman is a tackle or end but seventh-round pick Michael Sam and returning end Sammy Brown still figure into the competition. Defensive tackle Matt Conrath is also in the mix. It may come down to special teams or, like Gerald Rivers did last year, showing major pass rush potential to win the job. Westbrooks has a chance here but it won’t be easy.
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July 5, 2014 at 7:01 pm #884July 5, 2014 at 8:24 pm #891znModeratorEthan Westbrooks, DE
School: West Texas A&M | Conference: LSC
College Experience: Senior | Hometown: San Leandro, CA
Height/Weight: 6-4 / 267 lbs.
Proj. Rnd. 4-5Player Overview
Every scout dreams of discovering a diamond in the rough talent; a player whose gifts are undeniable and yet either the player, himself, needs polishing or he simply hasn’t caught the attention yet of other talent evaluators.
Westbrooks…lacks polish but is undeniably gifted.
The Oakland, Ca. native signed with the Buffs after a successful JUCO stop at Sacramento City College, where he was named the 2011 MVP of the Mid-Empire Conference. Westbrooks thoroughly dominated the D-II level in his first season, registering 60 tackles, including an unbelievable 29.5 tackles for loss and 19.5 sacks, the most QB-takedowns at any amateur level in 2012. Among the accolades Westbrooks won for his efforts was the Ron Lenz Daktronics Division II National Defensive Player of the Year and Super Region Four Defensive Player of the Year.
With opponents keying in on him, Westbrooks numbers dropped significantly in 2013 (43/19.5/seven), though he again showed his ability to dominate at the East-West Shrine Game, earning Defensive MVP honors during the game, with two sacks and two more tackles for loss.
Westbrooks talents are legitimate. His size and athleticism will intrigue every team in the league. Character red-flags, however, will make him one of the more popular interviews for teams at the Combine.
STRENGTHS:
Looks and plays bigger than his size. Possesses broad shoulders, long arms and the frame to handle an additional 10 pounds of muscle without a significant loss of quickness. Moved around the defensive line to create mismatches for the Buffs, logging time on the nose, three tech DT and as a traditional 7-tech defensive end. Physical and highly aggressive. Good initial quickness. Surprises opponents with his burst to split gaps and flashes upper body explosiveness to rock them on their heels, as well as effective (if rudimentary technique). Good balance and lateral agility to break down and stalk mobile quarterbacks. Flashes impressive acceleration for a man of his size while in pursuit. Could just be scratching the surface of his potential.
WEAKNESSES:
Has been able to get by with just his athletic tools to this point and remains quite raw in his technique. Sells out to attack the quarterback, getting fooled by play-action and draws. Doesn’t always pursue hard once the ball gets past him. Probably projects best as a RDE in the 4-3 alignment but must learn to use his hands better to rip through would-be blocks, or his speed/power will be controlled. Likely is at least a year or more from significant playing time and there are concerns about his commitment. Plays with a degree of ferocity that too often results in foolish penalties. Sports a heavily tattooed frame (including on his face) and that some will take as a character red-flag.
COMPARES TO: Armonty Bryant, Cleveland Browns – The team that invests in Westbrooks is going to want to have a plan in place for him, just as the Browns did with Bryant, who was off some teams’ boards a year ago but flashed as a rookie with 12 tackles and two sacks in limited duty. There is no denying his physical gifts but he comes with red-flags and may need a strong locker room to support him.
–Rob Rang
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